Banksy Artworks Valued More Than £12 Million Seized Due To Illegal Display

An exhibition called ‘Banksy Unauthorized’ has fulfilled its title after more than £12 million (US$15.3 million) of the eponymous anonymous British street artist’s work was seized amid claims of illegal display.

58 pieces of Banksy artworks, including Girl With Balloon, pictured above, and Kissing Policeman, were taken from the Strokar Inside art gallery in Brussels by authorities.

Banksy’s former manager Steve Lazarides, who owns most of the art pieces, claimed the works on display were simply loaned to the German exhibition firm called On Entertainment, and that On Entertainment has no right to transport and showcase the works in Belgium.

Due to this rights issue, the managers of the art gallery went to alert the authorities and the commotion has caused the artworks’ owners to freak out, according to The Guardian.

The seizure took place after a court ruled that the disputed artworks were exposed without prior agreement by the legitimate owner of the works—making it essential for the items to be seized and putting an end to the exhibition.

Banksy has also put out a statement on his website informing fans that the exhibition was “organized entirely without the artist’s knowledge or involvement.”